Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 21
Nīrājana-vidhiḥ
Procedure of Nīrājana / Auspicious Lamp-Waving and Royal Propitiation
पुरोधा जुहुयादाज्यं समित्सिद्धार्थकं तिलाः कुम्भा अष्टौ पूजिताश् च तैः स्नाप्याश्वगजोत्तमाः
purodhā juhuyādājyaṃ samitsiddhārthakaṃ tilāḥ kumbhā aṣṭau pūjitāś ca taiḥ snāpyāśvagajottamāḥ
Le prêtre royal doit verser des oblations de ghee dans le feu, avec des bûchettes sacrées, de la moutarde blanche et du sésame. Huit jarres d’eau (kumbha) doivent être honorées selon le rite ; avec leur eau, on baignera rituellement les meilleurs chevaux et éléphants.
Lord Agni (traditionally narrating Agni Purana’s ritual sections to a sage such as Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Royal consecratory/auspicious rite: fire-offering with specified dravyas, worship of eight kumbhas, and ritual bathing of state animals (horses, elephants) for purity and success in royal undertakings.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Aajya-homa with aṣṭa-kumbha snāna for aśva-gaja","lookup_keywords":["aajya-homa","aṣṭa-kumbha","siddhārthaka","tila","aśva-gaja-snāna"],"quick_summary":"Offer ghee with samidhs, white mustard, and sesame into fire; worship eight water-pots and use their sanctified water to bathe elite horses and elephants as part of royal auspicious rites."}
Concept: Śuddhi and maṅgala are secured through correctly sequenced dravya-homa and abhiṣeka-like bathing rites.
Application: Follow prescribed ritual materials and vessel-worship to sacralize royal resources (animals/vehicles) before state actions.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Yajna-vidhi (Ritual procedures and consecratory rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A royal purohita performs ghee oblations into a blazing altar-fire; eight decorated kumbhas with mango leaves and cloth are arranged; attendants bathe richly caparisoned horses and elephants with sanctified water.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat yet vibrant colors, sacred fire-altar with purohita offering ājya, eight ornate kumbhas in a row, caparisoned elephant and horse being bathed, traditional ornaments, ritual purity atmosphere","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf highlights on kumbhas and royal animal ornaments, central homa-kunda with flames, priest with ladle, attendants pouring water over elephant and horse, rich reds and greens, temple-like framing","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate linework, instructional clarity: labeled ritual items (samidh, siddhārthaka, tila), eight kumbhas, priest performing āhuti, animals in profile receiving snāna, calm palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed court-ritual scene: priest at fire, trays of sesame and mustard, eight painted water-pots, groom and mahout bathing horse and elephant, fine textiles and architectural backdrop"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: जुहुयादाज्यम् = जुहुयात् + आज्यम्; पूजिताश् च = पूजिताः + च; स्नाप्याश्वगजोत्तमाः = स्नाप्य + अश्वगजोत्तमाः; अश्वगजोत्तमाः समासः (aśva-gaja-uttamāḥ).
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Puja-vidhi/Yajna-vidhi sections on homa-dravya, kumbha-puja, abhiṣeka, śānti-karman
FAQs
It prescribes a specific homa-dravya set (ghee, fuel-sticks, white mustard, sesame) and an eight-kumbha worship followed by ritual bathing (snāna) of elite horses and elephants—i.e., a consecratory/purificatory rite used in royal or temple-linked ceremonies.
Beyond theology, it records operational ritual details—materials, counts (eight kumbhas), officiant role (purodhā), and application to state assets (war/ceremonial animals). This is characteristic of the Agni Purana’s wide scope, blending liturgy with practical royal and institutional procedure.
The homa and kumbha-ablution function as purification and auspicious consecration (śuddhi/maṅgala), intended to remove ritual impurity and secure divine protection and success for the king’s undertakings, including the welfare and efficacy of prized animals.